PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
DECEMBER 2,1946
Birthday Of The New Atomic Age
Just four years ago, on a squash court under the stadium of the University of Chicago, the greatest change in man's way of life in half a million years took place.
The new power comes from releasing energy which has been used to hold the atom itself together. When the parts of atom are broken apart, energy is liberated.
For 500,000 years, man has known how to release energy which has been used to hold atoms together. It takes energy to hold hydrogen and oxygen together in the form of water, for instance.
Four years ago, a group of men, working under complete secrecy, proved they not only could release this energy, but they also could control it. This was the birth of the new way of life. Not quite three years later, they demonstrated their discovery by blowing Hiroshima to nothingness.
And only a handful of the earth's peoples knew that their way of life had died and a new way of life had been established. Not until two and a half years later, when the first atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima did the change become known.
This revolution in man's fight to live in this world was caused by the discovery of a new source of energy.
The average man knows something has happened—just what, he's not certain. The governments of the world know they have something that's almost too hot to handle and they're not certain what to do with it. The scientists know what's happened and they have a good idea what to do with it.
Only one difference can be found between the secret demonstration of atomic energy at the University of Chicago and the public demonstration at Hiroshima.
Even today, the magnitude of the change is only partly realized.
At Chicago (and in many laboratories now) atomic energy was released under control. At Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in the New Mexico desert, at Bikini, atomic energy was let loose uncontrolled.
The United States has a plan to harness atomic energy for the good of the world. The plan, the Baruch plan, is admittedly not perfect but it's the best advanced so far. It has five points:
Now the world has to make a choice. Is it going to use atomic energy wisely by controlling it, or is it going to use atomic energy selfishly and blow the world to pieces? Either we control atomic energy or it will control us.
ONE: A group working under the United Nations will own all places where ore which can be refined into uranium is found.
It's the difference between a warm fire in your living room hearth and a raging fire sweeping through your house.
TWO: This group, the International Atomic Development authority, will own and manage all plants refining the ore.
FOUR: Scientists of the world would have authority to check on violators of the bomb ban and would have power to punish violators.
THREE: The finished products of these plants will be diluted so that atomic energy will be available to the world, but not in a pure enough form to make atomic bombs.
FIVE: No nation in the United Nations would have any power to veto punishments.
We could conquer the world right
The Only Bulwark
GREAT CARS
Daniel Bishop in St. Louis Star-Times
FINE SERVICE
Letters to the Editor
Likes The Kansan
After reading the Nov. 20 Kansan.
I was tempted to startle the studious loafers in the Union with three rousing cheers for the free press of K.U.
I want you to know that many of us who seemingly take no interest in the happenings over in your "shack," are solidly back of you when you take such an interest in factual reporting. Your excellent coverage of election issues, your scoop on Pritchard's recent bank blast and its rebuttal, and this week's scalp scandal are examples of what I mean.
Although we all understand Dean Werner's good intentions not to reveal names, it hardly seems the Kansan's fault if he and his cohorts can't keep the secret. The dean did not seem "perfectly astounded" that a "reputable" university "should go so far as drag down its own flesh and blood."
D.W.
An engineer
D.W.
Now, while we have the upper hand, is the time for us to prove we believe atomic power was given to us to improve the world, not to destroy the world.
We will lose a great deal under the Baruch plan, but we will gain much more. We will give up power; we will get security.
We must present a united front to the world on this problem. Let your congressman know you are behind the plan. If he and the other congressmen have definite proof that their constituents are backing the plan, the world will know the United States is serious.
(Editor's note—The students dismissed were liable not only to dismissal from school, but to trial on evading the federal government's excise tax laws.)
Dislikes The Kansan
After reading the Nov. 20 edition of the Kansan I was amazed at your sudden interest in your duty to the readers. In your article you wrote: "If, in the reporting of any story affecting students or of interest to students, the Daily Kansan leaves out pertinent facts, it is grossly incompetent in its reporting and lax in its duty to its readers."
now, but we'd sacrifice our democratic ideals. The only alternative is to sponsor a plan to control atomic energy for the world.
I would truly like to believe that this will be the future policy of the Kansan for it most certainly has not been its policy in the past. The Kansan reporters have frequently misquoted people and caused a little uproar on one occasion. When General Yakhontoff spoke here I thought the report on his talk was very poor for it definitely did not mention many of the points which he brought out in his speech that were never brought before our eyes by the great American press. The Kansan could have done their readers a real service by printing these "pertinent" facts.
From the past reporting it seems that the Daily Kansan is following in the footsteps of the rest of the newspapers and the possibility that our press might improve in the future is very slight.
(Editor's note—People sometimes are misquoted; sometimes they change their minds after being quoted. To which situation do you refer?)
Henry Pinault College Sophomore
Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
The University Daily Kansan
Member of the Kansas Press Association,
National Editorial Association, and the Associated Collegiate Press. Represented by the National Assoc for 420 450 Madison Avenue, New York City.
ison Ave. New York City.
Managing Editor ... Charles Roos
Management Edi-
tion ... Billie MacKenzie
Makeup Editor ... Billie MacKenzie
Editor-in-chief ... Bill Hauge
Manager ... Business
Mandrake Manly ... Advertising Manager
Phone 1000 632-34 Mass. St. SQUARE DEAL
- Battery
Portable Radios
AC-DC
Attractive leatherette-cased portable battery radios, for immediate delivery while they last. They can also be connected to electric outlets.
Complete With Batteries
$49.95
STARLING Furniture Company 928 MASS.
ARROW Products at
Yes,Arrow makes a sweet sport shirt!
College men are discovering that the same quality, style and wearability which distinguishes their favorite Arrow oxford and broadcloth shirts are present in Arrow sports shirts.
Whether you're a grizzled veteran with a hatful of battle stars or a pea-green freshman straight from high school, your old friend Mr. Arrow makes a sports shirt you will like.
Most Arrow Sports Shirts are washable, so you will save on dry-cleaning bills too!
Every one a honey!
ARROW SHIRTS and TIES UNDERWEAR • SPORTS SHIRTS • HANDKERCHIEFS
First With What
Men Want the Most